Food, Mood and Mental Health

(NNEdPro Co-ordination of Submissions: James Bradfield, Luke Buckner, Juliet Burridge, Ally Jaffee and Sumantra Ray)

Food is inherently and ubiquitously linked to mood through celebrations, religious events and gift giving. Despite this, the link between food and mental health not yet been fully elucidated. Additionally, within the behavioural sciences including clinical psychology and psychiatry, nutrition may play a vital role. Research suggests that utilisation and improvement of diet, exercise, sleep and mindfulness can positively impact a number of mental health conditions. Furthermore, those suffering from mental health disorders, may benefit from key dietary and lifestyle changes to help combat the effects of illness, higher levels of concordant smoking, alcohol and drug use, as well as the side effects of a number of psychotropic medications.

Nutritional aspects of psychology as well as psychiatry are emerging area and with an ever expanding research base it is beginning to gain the interest of important clinical and policy stakeholders. Accordingly, it is of vital importance to compile, analyse and use the research in this field to develop practice guidelines and continue to better serve this often-overlooked area.

We welcome papers which span the interfaces between nutrition and behaviour from psychology to psychiatry, including the example areas below:

1. Management of psychotropic related metabolic syndrome via lifestyle changes
2. Behavioural change around diet and lifestyle, including psychiatric conditions
3. Dietary change implementation aiming to reduce relapse in mental health conditions
4. Modulation of mood and/or behaviour through dietary intervention